Cleaning device having fiber-based scraping member

Abstract

A cleaning device includes: a collection member configured to contact a photosensitive member, on which an electrostatic latent image is configured to be formed, and collect foreign substances on the photosensitive member; a shaft configured to attract the foreign substances from the collection member so as to make the foreign substances cling thereto; a scraping member configured to contact the shaft and scrape the foreign substances cling on the shaft; and a housing configured to accommodate the collection member and the shaft, wherein the scraping member is mounted to the housing. The scraping member includes: an elastic member; and a fiber member configured to be adhered to the elastic member and slidingly contact the shaft. The elastic member is configured to press the shaft to such an extent that fibers of the fiber member are pressed and compressed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cleaning device comprising:
 a collection member configured to contact a photosensitive member, on which an electrostatic latent image is configured to be formed, and to collect foreign substances from the photosensitive member; 
 a shaft configured to attract the foreign substances from the collection member so as to make the foreign substances cling thereto; 
 a scraping member configured to contact the shaft and scrape the foreign substances clinging onto the shaft; and 
 a housing configured to accommodate the collection member and the shaft, wherein the scraping member is mounted to the housing, 
 wherein the scraping member comprises:
 an elastic member; and 
 a fiber member configured to be adhered to the elastic member and slidingly contact the shaft, wherein the fiber member is a member to which fibers are transplanted, and 
 
 wherein the elastic member is configured to press the shaft to such an extent that the fibers of the fiber member are pressed and compressed. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the elastic member is a sponge. 
 
     
     
       3. The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein when the elastic member presses the shaft via the fiber member, the elastic member is deformable by repulsive force applied to the fiber member from the shaft so that the fiber member conforms to a shape of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       4. A cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
 a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is configured to be formed; 
 a cleaning device comprising:
 a collection member configured to contact the photosensitive member and to collect foreign substances from the photosensitive member; 
 a shaft configured to attract the foreign substances from the collection member so as to make the foreign substances cling thereto; and 
 a scraping member configured to contact the shaft and scrape the foreign substances clinging onto the shaft; and 
 
 a housing configured to accommodate the photosensitive member and the cleaning device, wherein the scraping member is mounted to the housing, 
 wherein the scraping member comprises:
 an elastic member; and 
 a fiber member configured to be adhered to the elastic member and slidingly contact the shaft, wherein the fiber member is a member on which fibers are transplanted, and 
 
 wherein the elastic member is configured to press the shaft to such an extent that the fibers of the fiber member are pressed and compressed. 
 
     
     
       5. The cartridge according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the elastic member is a sponge. 
 
     
     
       6. The cartridge according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein when the elastic member presses the shaft via the fiber member, the elastic member is deformable by repulsive force applied to the fiber member from the shaft so that the fiber member conforms to a shape of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       7. The cartridge according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a toner accommodation chamber configured to accommodate toner; and 
 a supply roller configured to supply the toner to the photosensitive member from the toner accommodation chamber. 
 
     
     
       8. The cartridge according to  claim 7 , further comprising a developing cartridge removably mountable to the housing,
 wherein the developing cartridge comprises the toner accommodation chamber and the supply roller.